Kaala Review – Dull And Boring

BOTTOM LINE
Dull And Boring

OUR RATING2.5/5

CENSOR
‘U/A’ Certified, 2 hrs 46 mins

What Is the Film About?
Haridev Abhyankar aka Hari Dada (Nana Patekar) wants to convert Dharavi into a modern housing colony leaving many homeless. Karikalan aka Kaala (Rajinikanth) is the messiah of the poor, and he is fighting for them. Did he manage to save the Dharavi people? What happens, in the end, is what the film is all about?

How Is Rajinikanth’s Performance?
Superstar Rajinikanth is totally in his elements as Kaala Seth. He is enjoying playing the character and the various shades it has to offer, and that shows onscreen. There is an age-appropriate romantic angle with two female leads and the veteran nails it perfectly without any signs of awkwardness. In the heroic, dramatic scenes and emotional ones, Rajinikanth, the actor, as always, comes to the fore. Even though the actor is seen in limited costumes throughout, there is a stylish presence that can’t be missed. Overall, Rajinikanth gives full meals to the fans who might have been disappointed a bit with his last outing.

Direction by Pa Ranjith?Pa Ranjith gets a rare opportunity among the young generation of directors to make back to back movies with Superstar Rajinikanth. But, we have to say he misses the bus in delivering an impactful film that could be remembered for ages.

Yes, there are the apparent politics at play, but they are the least of the concerns as the two movies, Kabali and Kaala, fail on the story count. Among the two, Kaala has the weaker and more predictable story with no real twists and turns.

We, as an audience, get what the director is trying to achieve with Kaala. He wants to create a hero of mythical proportions along with pushing forward a political ideology. The narrative is filled with those moments. Ranjith has also got a perfect foil in Nana Patekar’s Haridada. And yet, despite all the elements in the place he doesn’t deliver. What we get is a flat and dull narration that is saved from utter boredom by the presence of Superstar and Powerhouse performer. They are electrifying whenever they come together. But there is no bite in their proceedings. The conflict gets settled most predictably and routinely.

Part of the problem is the pre-establishment of Kaala as a mythic figure. What else could be made or shown that could elevate him further? It is a difficult thing to maintain a gripping narrative and deliver a fresh content from that position. The director opts to choose a safer route. It works in the beginning and makes first half watchable. The second half begins well but cannot keep up the graph of the character and in the end does the expected. What happens, as a result, is that an explosive cracker fizzles out. The loud bang, the epic souring emotion, the elevation of a star from mere mortal is missing. Kaala, therefore, is a disappointing fare. Fans might find it right, but it turns dull affair after a point.

Eswari and Others?Huma Qureshi and Eswari are two female leads in the movie. Both are given decent roles in a film that is meant to be dominated by lead star and his nemesis. Nana Patekar is terrific. He conveys more with his body language and simple expressions without going overboard at all. The film’s best moments come when Nana Patekar comes face to face with Rajinikanth. Samuthirakani and others who are part of the Dharavi setup and Kaala’s family are well cast for their roles. Sampath Raj, Sayaji Shinde and Ravi Kale are wasted.

Music and Other Departments?
Music by Santhosh Narayanan is alright. The background score is also nothing spectacular but is quite useful in parts at crucial moments. The cinematography is neat. Editing could have been better in parts. Dialogues are okay. It is mainly written keeping the milieu in mind rather than for mere heroism.

Highlights?
Rajinikanth
Nana Patekar
Interval
Post-Interval

Drawbacks?
Predictable Story
Lengthy
Weak Narration
Climax

Alternative Take
More focus on the older and younger generation arc instead of the romance, and that leading to mythical ending would have worked far better and felt interesting.

Kaala is a one-time watch affair with Superstar Rajini and Nana Patekar pulling the strings. The latter was terrific and could have been utilized better. Visit back for our frank and detailed review soon.

Kaala starts slowly as the director takes time to establish the Dharavi. Once set, the narrative gains momentum and ends with a neat interval bang. Superstar Rajinikanth looks at much more ease compared to Kabali in Kaala. The lungi clad avatar and small mass mannerism and style are a treat for fans. The second half has to now keep up the interval momentum. Stay tuned for the final report.

– Kaala show started with protests in Dharavi when Vishnubhai (Sampath Raj) trying to grab the place from poor.

Kaala Us Premier Live Updates Will Begin at 9.30 PM IST (12 Noon EST)

Preview: Kaala

Rajini’s TOP 5 in the US

S#

Movie

Collections

1

Kabali

$4.5 Million

2

Robo [Telugu+Tamil]

$2.6 Million

3

Lingaa

$1.5 Million

4

Kochadiyaan

$760 K

5

Shivaji

$600 K

‘Kaala‘ is very crucial for both the director and the superstar as they are at the crossroads though it may not seem so, at the face of it. It is coming at the juncture when there is a possibility that Rajinikanth may turn a full-time politician.

The success of this film will be directly proportional to infusing energy into his fans with regard to his political entry. It’s crucial for director Pa Ranjith, as well because of his previous movie ‘Kabali’ that didn’t turn out to be a blockbuster and didn’t mark the return of Rajinikanth in ‘Baasha’ kind of avatar.

Though the trailer took the hype to the peaks, the movie couldn’t live up to the trailer’s assurance. Even after that, he turned lucky enough to direct the superstar back-to-back. This time, he has to deliver at least for the sake of the confidence laid on him by the superstar. However, ‘Kaala’ trailer lacked the punch, the ‘Kabali’ trailer had.

Coming from the same director who was criticised for not using the superstar’s image in the right manner, ‘Kaala’ is carrying low buzz. Nonetheless, the hopes are still on and cine-lovers are expecting to watch a big bang buck film like ‘old mass Rajini’ whose presence itself was electrifying.

Nana Patekar’s presence​,​ the concept of two leading ladies for Rajini in the film​,​ the politically loaded dialogues and of course, the charisma of the Thalaiva​ and the ​music; all these can add weight to the movie only when Pa Ranjith has handled with a gripping and intriguing narration.

The success of ‘Kaala’ is very important for Rajini, the neo-politician who is celebrated as a superstar. It’s quite surprising to understand that there is a lack of clarity whether or not Tamil Nadu people want to see him in politics or they want to celebrate him only as a superstar.

Though this film will not be a verdict on Rajini’s political entry, it’ll be a kinda eye-opener to the observers (both cine and political). ​Did Pa Ranjith deliver, this time?